Weddings in India are an emotional affair which is comprised of different customs and rituals of a religion. Indian weddings depict the rich cultural traditions of a specific state. Traditional Bengali weddings are known for their distinctive and meaningful rituals solemnized in a wedding ceremony. Bengali weddings are full of vivacity and colors and it is always a delight to be a part of the joyous and lively celebration which marks the beginning of new phase of two individuals together for lifelong.

Whether it is the blowing of conch (Shankh) or the ulu dhwani, the sound produced by women of Bengal together, every ritual makes the Bengali wedding ceremony unique and exclusive from other states wedding.

You will get to the pre-wedding rituals performed in a Bengali wedding in this article.

•Aashirwaad ceremony

Also called as blessings, the Aashirwaad ceremony commences the festivities of a Bengali wedding ceremony. In this ritual, the elders of the groom’s family visit the bride’s home and in the presence of idol of Lord Narayana
the bride-to-be is given blessings by the groom’s mother and relatives along with the gift items which are being presented to bride and then they sprinkle husked rice and trefoil leaves on the bride’s head. The same ritual is followed by bride’s parents in which groom is given aashirwaad along with gifts.

• Vridhi puja

Vridhi puja is a ritual done to pay respect and to seek the blessings of the ancestors of the bride/groom. This puja takes place at the respective houses before the wedding day and the paternal uncle of the bride and the groom perform the Vridhi puja. Baran dala (a silver plate) is arranged with a Sri symbol to keep the samagri of the offering.

•Aai bhudo bhaat

Aai bhudo bhaat ritual is performed a night before the wedding day. It is known as the last meal of the bride and groom as a bachelor. The sweet delicacies and food of bride’s and groom’s choice are cooked at their respective homes. The close relatives, friends, and neighbor come to be a part of aai bhudo bhaat and usher blessings to both, the bride and the bridegroom.

• Dhodhi mangal

The ritual of dhodhi mangal is carried out at the dawn of the wedding day. In this ritual, the bride/groom is accompanied by 10 married women in their respective houses to the sacred Ganga river or near water body and they bring back a pitcher full of water to bathe the bride/groom after gae holud ceremony. After that, they both are been fed with sweet curd, rice, fish, and bananas. It is the last meal of the day for both as they have to observe fast till the completion of wedding rituals.

• Gae holud tatva

It is a basically Haldi ceremony which takes place at the respective homes of bride and bridegroom. In this ritual, the paste of turmeric with mustard oil and sandalwood is applied on the body of the groom. He is then said to have a bath from the water women brought in the early morning. The remaining turmeric paste is then sent for bride along with the gifts or outfit for the gae holud ceremony.

• Sankha and Pola

Sankha and pola are the bangles which are worn by the bride-to-be in the Bengali weddings. It is worn after the gae holud ceremony on the wedding day. Five or seven married women adorn the hands of the bride with traditional bangles. It is white colored shells (sankha) and red colored corals (pola) bangles which showcase the marital status of a woman.

After that the bride and the groom are all set to get ready in their traditional wedding attires; men in white dhoti, kurta and the topor (headgear especially for Bengalis) and woman in heavy silk red saree with golden border, traditional jewelry and mukut (a headwear especially for a woman). These are the significant pre-wedding rituals performed in a traditional Bengali wedding with immense purity and religious belief.